Graduating and measuring device for shoe lasts



Dec. 21, 1948. H. G. cLAuslNG 2,456,815

GRADUATING AND MEASURING DEVICE EUR SHOE LASTS Filed Dec. 19,. 194s INVENTOR.

a ma @n Patented Dec. 2l, 1948 vOFFICE E GRADUATING AND MEASURING DEVICE FOR SHOE LASTS Henry G. Clausng, Ports-mouth, Ohio, assignor to Vulcan Corporation, Portsmouth, Ohio Application December 19, 1946, Serial No. 717,131

Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in grading and measuring devices for shoe last inspection and is particularly directed to a device for making a reference mark at a predetermined point on the instep of all sizes of lasts in a particular lot so that other inspection measurements may be made on each last with the mark as the initial starting point.

Shoe lasts are employed by the shoe manufacturer as a form on which certain shoe manufacturing steps are carried out. The shoe lasts are inserted into the unnished shoe uppers preliminary to the sole attaching operation. These lasts must therefore be of every conceivable style Iand size and are generallycusto-m made on the shoe manufacturers order. Furthermore the last must exactly conform to standard sizes of the shoes to be made thereon and to this end a number of measurements must be taken on them from a known reference point by both the last manufacturer and the Shoemaker to determine their size, length, cross-sectional contours and other dimensions so that exact last sizes are maintained.

It has generally been the practice to locate the last reference point at the uppermost point of the last instep, said point incidentally lying at the approximate center of the longitudinal dimension of each shoe last. A great number of last sizes are made from a single master last of a certain style and model by adjusting the mechanism of the last copying lathe to form lasts proportionally longer or shorter, and wider or narrower than the master last, However the position of the reference point may vary slightly between lasts made from master lasts having different styles and models, for instance, the central reference point in lasts for making womens shoe styles would tend to be off center in the direction of the heel portion whilst lasts for very low heeled mens style shoes may tend to be olf-center in the direction oi the toe portion. It is therefore a particular object of the present invention to provide a measuring device for lasts which facilitates the grading of said lasts in lot sizes and provides a `definite and standard reference point for lot sizes from which the manufacturer of the last may Work and which provides a reliable means for last inspection by the manufacturer and the purchaser thereof.

VAnother object of the present invention is to provide a last grading and measuring device'which may be quickly adjusted and set for determining the'longi'tudinal centers of all lot sizes of shoe lasts made from a master model last of a certain 2 style, whereby inspection steps for the entire lot are greatly facilitated and the results more accurately determined.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which may be readily adjusted by the Shoemaker in accordance with the last manufacturers instructions so that an entire last lot may be graded in a quick and eiicient manner.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a last measuring device which has a rugged construction, is readily operated and on which last measurements can be made in a quick and efcient manner.

-Other objects will be apparent from the following specification and drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of the last grading and measuring device.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device with a last to be measured illustrated in operative position therein.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. v

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3. 1

With reference to the drawings the numeral 6 indicates an elongate base for my measuring device which has formed therein a pair of longitudinally extending grooves I and 8 each disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the base. As indicated in Fig. 3 a central ridge 9 is formed between the grooves and a longitudinal rule Ill is secured thereto by screws Il. A cross-head l2 is Xed to one end 01 the base 6 by screws' i3 saidcross-head having a vertical last contacting face I4 Ion its interior side which is at right angles to the rule and in the transverse plane of the zero calibrations marked on the upper edge I5 of the rule which is graduated in inches. The face I 4 also serves as the zero reference plane for the linear calibrations 0n the lower longitudinal edge I6 'of the rule which is graduated in shoe sizes from siz'e zero to size 13 for infants and childrens shoes, and from size 1 to size 17 for womens and mens shoes. It will be noted that the divisions made by the calibrations of the scale along edge I6 have identical longitudinal dimensions and are consecutively graduated in last sizes, each last size division being equal to 1/3 of an inch on the linear scale along edge l5.l A sliding cross-head l1 is mounted on the-base for longitudinal movement said'cross-head 'having a last contacting face I8 lying in a vertical plane at right angles to the rule. The cross-head I1 is provided with a pair of spaced runners I9 and 20 which slide in grooves I and 8 respectively said runners having formed in their interior sides opposed slots 2I and 22 for slidably receiving between them the edges I5 and I6 of the rule (Fig. 3). The cross-head is also provided with a centrally disposed longitudinal groove 23 l`(ligt) in which a strip of spring metal 2e is mounted, said strip having a bent portion 25 at one end which is anchored in an inset 26 in the groove whilst the opposed end is free to move flongi-f tudinally along the top surface of said fgroove. The cross-head I1 is precluded from .sliding oi the rule by means of a stopwhichttake's 'theiorm of a screw 21 threaded in the base and 4having an enlarged head for engaging the rear fedg'e 'fof the cross-head.

A last center indicator bar 28 is mounted on "the base for axial movement in a direction parallel to 'the rule 'III and iis held 'thereon b'etween'the xed cross-head -I2 and a vstandard 2'9 Asecured to the base by a screw 30. -YAs 'indicated in Fig. 3 the indicator' ybar is substantially square in crosssection Aand is slidably 'mounted in `the upper :end o'fithe standard 29 Aby a-'capl secured thereto 'by -screws 312D 'and which ha's formed on its linner 'surface a'ta'pe'red'rgroove 132 that cooperates with 4a tapered 'groove 33 formed in the standard to form a fsquare :aperture forsnugly'receiving the bar28. A :similarindicat'or bar receiving opening is iformedbetweenfafcap 315 and the upperedge of the cross-head I2, a winglnuti'b'eing adapted to Alcooperate `'with a 4.threaded :shaft v315i fanchored in the cross-headfcriloclring .the fcalpl'll against the .bar *whensaid bar has `been longitudinally adjusted to a predetermined ip'osition.

Asliding .block 31- is provided with a longitudinal aperture -38 :for `slidabily receiving Y.the bar '28, said bar having two upstanding arms 139 and@ between which .is pivoted 'a marker WSI. The marker arm is secured to thehbloc'k by-alpivo't pin 4-2Ithrea'ded yin aligned 4apertures formed in lthe arms 39 and All, said pin being locked by v-a set nut 4.3; The -reeendof the `marker is provided with a do-wnturned pointed end -M and -ainger enfgaging disc l5 so that it may be pressed downwardly inte -a `last .resting :uponwthe ibase. 'The block may [be adjustably secured `in the desir-'ed longitudinal position .by la set screw 46 :(Fig. 4) Whichgis threaded in the block rand eng-ages ra bronze washer Alll which in turn bears against `a corner of` a bar when the said screw is tightened.

As indicated in Figs. l and '2 ythe :indicatori-bar hasa number of calibrations `formed `on one surface which are as 'a group, disposed substantially centrally of the Iextremities of :the 'rule Ill tand the-calibrations thereon. 'It will also lcesnoted that these calibrations are equally graduated yin 4alter-nate last Isizesand that 'each ldivision has 4a linear dimension fequ'al to veach unitary rlast size division on the rule I0. The bar istherefore Vgraduated in 'one-half last rsizes which will 'be apparent by a comparison rof these calibrations withthe ones 'on the longitudinal 'edge I6 of the rule VI ll.

4Certain uses to which my device may 'be put in Vobtaining measurements of and @grading vof nished .lasts will now be-described to clearly indicateits utility and the novel function-s `or' the various parts thereof, land to this end, the method of adjusting my device to v.place ani-instep yreference mark on lasts of va particular lot, will now be setorth. It will be noted with reference to Fig. :2, .that alast -48rfrorn a certain lotto be inspected fs'liding rcrosslfi'ead Il.

4 is placed upon the base with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the rule ID. One end of the last is in contact with the face I4 of the iixed cross-head I2 whilst the sliding cross-head I1 is moved inwardly until its face I8 contacts the opposed end of the last. Readings are then taken on the linear scale on the upper (edge I5 and the VKlast size scale `on`the lower 'edge I6 ofthe rule I0 by sighting along the plane of `the 'contacting surface I8 of the sliding cross-head. In the example illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the reading on the linear Scale would be 9%, inches whilst the last :scale would show a No. 41/2 size for women or men. Said linear reading is then divided by two *to obtain half the longitudinal measurement of the last. The last is then removed from the device and the sliding crosshead I'I is moved inwardly until the linear scale indicates one-half lof the longitudinal measurement obtained from the linear scale. In .the case illustrated said irrumber 'Would be '4Z/8 inches. l,'Ilfie A'block 31 is then "slid von the 'bar 28 until the lleft hand race thereof registers with Ithe calibration line vbeside the number '4 1/2 on :the :bar which is the `last size obtained for the Alinea-r measurement fof @9% inches. The sliding block vis then clamped at fsa'id position 'by'turning upon the set screw et. The thumb nut 35 is loosened, arid the bar-28 'with `bloclr 37H clamped thereto .is moved axially -until the pointer i4 `coincideswith the lface Ii ci the The bar is-then clamped imposition by opera-tion ofthe wing nut 235.; and `the bar is then in the proper 'posit-ion -to make :a reference mark on -t-he ident-ical instep portions for ialllot sizes of lasts made from a particular 'master :model last.r The `remaining-last :sizes of the 'lot vmay be marked with a measurement .reterence point Vvby allowing 'the block 3'! to .slide freely -on :the bar and merely placing 4a last betweenv the cross-heads to obtain vthe exact last size, taking a reading of the last size @inthe 'scale-.alongthe lower edge 'I 6 ofthe rule, and .then 'movingI the block 31 to the indicated last size-on the bar. The lever 4I may then be operated .to make a reference mark on :the last-s of saidzsize so-that 7other inspectionvmeasurements `may be :made therefrom. It will be therefore notedrthat all lsizes of lasts from a particular lot may be quickly and readily inspected by the use -oi this instrument for inspection Yby the purchaser and that a manufacturer maya-lso give-1a last -cervtain measurements with the use of my device which may lbe readily transmitted v'and checked 'by the purchaser upona similar device. This device `may also be'readily adjusted to otherstyles and models of master lasts by` axially adjusting rthe bar'to register the upper point vof the instep on -all sizes of said styles. 4

What'is claimed is: i

1. In 'a device of the characterfdescribedthe vcombination of a base, a xed :cross-head on the base, a rule secured to the base and disposed thereon A:at right angles to the fixed cross-head, a sliding vcross-head mounted vfor. rectilinear movement -parallel vto the rule, a'la's'tf'center rin'- dicator bar mounted on the base vfor axialmovement and disposed `parallel to the rule, :means for 'locking the `bar in a predetermined longitudinal position, a block -slidably rmounted =on .the bar, means for locking the block von `the bar' at'a Vpredetermined position, `and a marker pivotally mounted von the block'for 4movement in a vertical -plan'e parallel to the cross-head. f

2. In a device-of the `class descrifb'edth'e 'combi' nation of la base,l van 'elongate'rulersecuredfto 'the base, a Xed cross-head on the base having a vertical last contacting surface disposed at right angles to the rule, a sliding cross-head mounted for rectilinear movement on the base in a direction parallel to the rule, said sliding cross-head having a vertical last contacting face disposed in a plane parallel to the face of the fixed crosshead, a last center indicator bar positioned parallel to the rule and mounted on the base for axial movement, means for locking the bar at a predetermined position on the base, a block slidably mounted on the bar, means for locking the block at a predetermined position on the bar, and a marker pivotally mounted on the block for movement in a vertical plane parallel to and intermediate the contacting faces of the crossheads.

3. In a device of the character described the combination of a base, an elongate rule secured to the base having calibrations thereongraduated in linear divisions indicative of consecutive last sizes, a xed cross-head on the base having a vertical last contacting surface disposed, at right angles to the rule, a sliding cross-head mounted for rectilinear movement on the base in a direction parallel to the rule, said sliding cross-head having a vertical last contacting face disposed in a plane parallel to the face of the fixed cross-head, a last center indicator bar positioned parallel to the rule and mounted on the base for axial movement, said bar having consecutive last size calibrations on its face disposed substantially centrally of the calibrations on the rule and each size graduated in linear divisions half the length of the linear divisions on the rule, means for locking the bar at a predetermined position on the base, a block slidably mounted on the bar, means for locking the block at a predetermined position on the bar, and a marker pivotally mounted on the block for movement in a vertical plane parallel to, and inter'- mediate the, contacting faces of the cross-heads.

4. In a device of the character described the combination oi a base, an elongate rule secured to the base having observable calibrations thereon graduated to indicate last sizes, a xed cross-head on the base having a vertical last contacting surface disposed across and at right angles to the rule and adapted to serve as a zero reference surface for said rule, a sliding crosshead mounted for rectilinear movement on the rule and having a vertical last contacting face lying in a plane parallel to the face of the xed cross-head, a standard spaced transversely from the rule and mounted upon the base intermediate its length, a last center indicator bar mounted on the standard and the fixed cross-head for axial movement in a direction parallel to the rule, said bar having consecutive last size calibrations on its face disposed substantially centrally with reference to the calibrations on the rule and each last size calibration on the bar graduated in equal linear divisions half the length of each linear division for the corresponding last size on the rule, means for locking the bar in a predetermined position on the base, a block slidably mounted on the bar, means for locking the block on the bar at a predetermined position relative to the rule, a marker arm pivotally mounted on the block for movement in a vertical plane parallel to and intermediate the contacting faces of the cross-heads, and a pointed end on the marker arm movable into a position directly above the rule upon pivotal movement of said arm.

5. In a device of the character described the combination with a base, a calibrated rule on the base, and a pair of cross-heads mounted on the base for relative movement adjacent to the rule, of a standard spaced transversely from the rule and mounted upon the base intermediate its length, a last center indicator bar mounted on the standard and the xed cross-head for axial movement in a direction parallel to the rule, said bar having consecutive last size calibrations on its face disposed substantially centrally with reference to the calibrations on the rule and each last size calibration on the bar graduated in equal linear divisions half the length of each linear division for the corresponding last size on the rule, means for locking the bar in a predetermined position on the base, a block slidably mounted on the bar, means for locking the block on the bar at a predetermined position relative to the rule, a marker arm pivotally mounted on the block for movement in a vertical plane parallel to and intermediate the contacting faces of the cross-heads, and a pointed end on the marker arm movable into a position directly above the rule upon pivotal movement of said arm.

HENRY G. CLAUSING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,084,637 Imkof et al Jan. 20, 1914 1,552,730 Preble Sept. 8, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,802 Great Britain Dec. 21, 1889 

